How to Use Liquid Medications

Liquid medications include products such as elixirs, solutions, suspensions, and syrups. These prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) products are mostly used for children, but may also be taken by adults who have difficulty swallowing tablets or capsules. Some medications are only available as liquids.

Measurement of liquid medications

Be sure you know the exact dose and amount of liquid you are to use for each dose. For OTC products, use a child’s weight to determine the dose, rather than one based on age, especially for young children.

Liquid medications are usually measured in teaspoons, tablespoons, or milliliters.

Read abbreviations used in dosage directions carefully. Abbreviations for teaspoons and tablespoons are similar.

Liquid Measurement

Abbreviation commonly used

teaspoon

tsp

tablespoon

Tbsp or TBSP

milliliter

mL, mL, mLs

This comparison shows how to convert a measurement from teaspoon/tablespoon to milliliters.

Liquid Measurement

1/2 teaspoon = 2.5 mL

1 teaspoon = 5 mL

1/2 tablespoon = 7.5 mL

1 tablespoon = 15 mL

Do not confuse dosage instructions for teaspoons and tablespoons. A tablespoon contains 3 times the amount of liquid as a teaspoon and could result in an overdose if used by mistake.